The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea FC Host Stoke City: Team News, Prediction, Stats

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: A general view of the Stadium prior to kickoff during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on December 19, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: A general view of the Stadium prior to kickoff during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on December 19, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Chelsea FC welcome Stoke City to Stamford Bridge this afternoon for a Premier League clash. Both teams are chasing European qualification spots.

The Premier League continues to take over our TV screens as Chelsea prepare to play their third league fixture in a week. Stoke City are the foe this afternoon, as Mark Hughes brings his impressive Potters side to West London.

With few teams actually managing to win, the Blues now have a (very) outside shot of finishing in the top four. Stoke, meanwhile, have the same ambition as the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City continue to stumble and fall. Who will come out on top?

Key Details

Chelsea FC v Stoke City, 5th March 2016
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Time: 15:00 GMT, 10:00 ET
TV: Highlights on BBC One at 22:20 (UK), NBC Sports Live Extra (US), check your country’s local listings here

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Mark Hughes manager of Stoke City looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at Britannia Stadium on February 6, 2016 in Stoke on Trentl, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Mark Hughes manager of Stoke City looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Everton at Britannia Stadium on February 6, 2016 in Stoke on Trentl, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Team News

Guus Hiddink confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Chelsea will continue to be without two key players. John Terry will not be available for selection, although his status for Wednesday’s key clash with PSG is yet to be confirmed. With Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill putting in some solid performances, this should not be a major issue.

Pedro is the other man who will not feature. The Spaniard is further behind in his recovery than Terry and thus it may some time before we see him take the field again.

More from The Pride of London

Goal machine Diego Costa will start, but will probably be limited in his minutes as Hiddink finally affords him that rest that he has been speaking about. Alexandre Pato could consequently make his debut.

Stoke, meanwhile, are suffering from a similar defensive crisis. Ryan Shawcross has been ruled out of the fixture in addition to Phil Bardsley, who pulled his calf. Geoff Cameron is also a doubt with soreness in his ankle. Shay Given, Charlie Adam, Marc Wilson and former Chelsea man Glenn Johnson are unavailable.

Stats

The first fixture between these sides saw Stoke emerge as 1-0 victors. The Potters were also victorious in their Round of 16 League Cup tie, which went to penalties. As a result, the visitors are looking for an unprecedented third win in a single season against the Blues.

Chelsea have lost just one of their 16 competitive fixtures since Jose Mourinho was relieved of his duties. The club’s defeat of Norwich City midweek gave them three consecutive victories for the first time this season.

The Potters have scored the fewest goals out of all teams currently in the top 10. Furthermore, they are the only team currently with a negative goal difference in the top half.

Next: Branislav Ivanovic: Abramovich Would Have Sacked The Chelsea FC Squad If Possible

Prediction

Despite having one eye on Wednesday’s game, Chelsea should scrape this one. 2-1.

Home/Premier League